but hints that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but hints that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something suggests or implies a certain idea or conclusion without stating it directly. Example: "The report is largely positive but hints that there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

What he provides are hints -- but hints that may or may not lead anywhere.

The New York Times - Books

But hints that the appointment of a new health secretary and officials will be welcome.

The Guardian

Mr Coronel is coy about where the cash would come from, but hints that he hopes for official Chinese investment.

The Economist

Holowka won't reveal what it is, but hints that the danger is perhaps more figurative than physical.

The Guardian - Tech

But hints that rates would rise towards the end of the year were likely to discourage consumers.

The Guardian - Business

Mr Sharif wants warmer relations with India, but hints that Indian meddling in Afghanistan would stiffen the hostility of Pakistan's army.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Harmless stuff, but hinting that the writer fancies himself an oracle.

The New Yorker

Torre declined the offer but hinted that Sheffield would play again within a few days.

The New York Times - Sports

He did not make any mention of Avis but hinted that another deal might be a possibility.

The New York Times

Rusedski was pleased with his win but hinted that he would not have minded much if he had lost.

The Guardian - Sport

Previous studies examining the safety performance of CRTLs indicate that they increase overall safety levels but hint that safety issues regarding vulnerable road users exist.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but hints that" when you want to introduce a subtle suggestion or implication rather than a direct statement. This can add nuance to your writing and encourage the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "but hints that" in critical arguments. Ensure that you provide sufficient evidence and direct statements to support your claims, rather than leaving everything to implication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but hints that" functions as a conjunction and a verb phrase introducing a subtle suggestion or implication. It connects two parts of a sentence, where the second part implies something without stating it directly. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but hints that" serves as a valuable linguistic tool for introducing subtle suggestions or implications without making direct assertions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and widely used across various domains. It is most frequently found in news and media, as well as in other contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to balance indirectness with sufficient evidence to ensure clarity. While direct alternatives like "but suggests that" or "but implies that" exist, "but hints that" offers a unique way to add nuance and engage the reader's interpretive abilities, and is a correct conjunction phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but suggests that

Replaces "hints" with a more direct synonym, maintaining the implication.

but implies that

Similar to "suggests that", implying is a close synonym for hinting.

but indicates that

Indicates provides a slightly stronger sense of evidence.

but intimates that

Intimates is a more formal synonym for hints, suggesting a subtle communication.

but alludes to

Alludes to suggests a more indirect or literary reference.

but gives the impression that

This phrase emphasizes the subjective interpretation of the hint.

but leads one to believe that

Focuses on the listener's conclusion based on the subtle clues.

but points towards

Points towards indicates a direction or likely outcome suggested by the hint.

but subtly reveals

Highlights the act of revealing information in a discrete manner.

but drops a hint that

More directly references the act of giving a hint.

FAQs

How can I use "but hints that" in a sentence?

The phrase "but hints that" is used to introduce a suggestion or implication. For example: "The report is positive, but hints that further investigation is needed."

What are some alternatives to "but hints that"?

Alternatives include "but suggests that", "but implies that", or "but indicates that". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "but hints that" and "but suggests that"?

"But hints that" implies a more subtle or indirect suggestion compared to "but suggests that". "Suggests" is generally a more straightforward way of introducing an idea.

When should I use "but hints that" instead of making a direct statement?

Use "but hints that" when you want to introduce an idea delicately or when you don't have enough evidence to make a definitive statement. It's useful for conveying subtext or encouraging the reader to infer a conclusion.